Medvedev Disqualified After Hitting Spectator at China Open
Daniil Medvedev was disqualified from his China Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic on Monday after hitting a ball into the stands that struck a spectator in the front row.
The incident occurred with Djokovic serving for the match at 7-5, 5-3. Medvedev appeared frustrated before hitting the ball into the crowd, with the spectator later helped out of the arena while holding a hand over his left eye.
Medvedev Disqualified Against Djokovic
Medvedev’s disqualification brought back memories of Djokovic’s own controversial exit from the 2020 US Open, when the Serbian was defaulted after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball.
The incident handed Djokovic another victory at the China Open and extended his perfect career record at the tournament to 33-0.
Djokovic will face ninth-ranked Alex de Minaur in Tuesday’s final.
De Minaur Advances After Hurkacz Retires
De Minaur reached the final after Hubert Hurkacz retired during their semifinal because of an apparent injury.
The Australian was leading 6-4, 3-2 when Hurkacz stopped playing. The Polish player appeared to be struggling to move during the second set, although the exact nature of his injury was not immediately known.
Swiatek Advances, Rybakina Withdraws From Wuhan
In the women’s China Open, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek rallied past Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2 to reach the next round. She will face Iva Jovic, who defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 7-5.
Elina Svitolina also advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Maria Sakkari, while Coco Gauff was facing 16-year-old Chinese wildcard Sun Xinran.
Meanwhile, US Open champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from the upcoming Wuhan Open because of a foot injury.
Rybakina had lost her first match after becoming world No. 1 when she was beaten by world No. 118 Alina Charaeva of Armenia in the second round in Beijing.
“I’ll take some time to rest and recover,” Rybakina was quoted as saying by Wuhan Open organisers.
Charaeva continued her impressive run by defeating Sonay Kartal 6-4, 6-1 to reach the last 16.
